Non - Vegan Substance Used in Some Cooking: Exposed

Today, I've sorted out some non - vegetarian substances used in cooking for you. Please check it out!

Animal - Derived Ingredients

Animal - derived ingredients include any substances from an animal's body. This encompasses many non - vegetarian components, such as fat, meat, blood, milk, eggs, and lesser - known products like fish gelatin and rennet. According to the definition of the United States Department of Agriculture, animal by - products are "products harvested or manufactured from livestock other than muscle."

Casein

Casein is the main protein in milk. It often appears in the ingredient lists of cream soups, sherbets, ice creams, margarines, and puddings.

It also frequently shows up in many products labeled "dairy - free." So, be sure to check the ingredient list.

Whey

Whey is the liquid left after milk has been coagulated and filtered. It is a by - product of cheese or casein production. Whey is a common and inexpensive food additive, often used in cheese - flavored crackers and snacks, margarines, hot dogs, and sausages. It is also frequently used in pre - packaged desserts such as waffles, pancakes, muffins, puddings, chocolate candies, nougats, and caramels.

Lactose

Many people don't know that lactose is not a vegetarian ingredient. Lactose is a sugar found in milk.

It often appears in margarines, some cereals, frozen potato products, instant mashed potato mixes, some pre - made breads, muffins, cookies, rolls, pancake or waffle mixes.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid can be either a vegetarian or non - vegetarian ingredient. Although there are many vegetarian forms of lactic acid, there is still a lot of "animal - derived lactic acid" on the market. Lactic acid is used as a food preservative, curing agent, and flavoring agent. It is an ingredient in processed foods and is commonly found in pickles, olives, sauerkraut, candies, frozen desserts, fruit preserves, and wines. So, when using it, be sure to check if the product containing lactic acid is labeled "vegetarian" on the front to ensure it is not animal - derived lactic acid.

Gelatin

Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water.It mainly comes from cows or pigs.

It is commonly used as a thickener in fruit gelatins and puddings (such as jelly); in candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice creams, and yogurts; in film; as a coating for vitamins and capsules; and sometimes to help "clarify" wines.

Confectioner's Glaze

Confectioner's glaze is a non - vegetarian ingredient. It sounds like something on a glazed doughnut but should be avoided.

Confectioner's glaze comes from crushed insects and is usually used in candies and baked products to create a smooth and shiny surface.

It is listed as resin glaze, shellac, natural glaze, or pure food glaze.

Isinglass

Isinglass is the swim bladder of fish used to filter and clarify beer, wine, and spirits.

If you didn't know, a lot of beer, wine, and spirits use isinglass in the process of filtering the liquid.

You can check to see if your favorite beverage is vegetarian or ask that isinglass not be used in the filtering process of the beverage.

Oleic Acid

Oleic acid can be made from animal fats. It is often present in synthetic butters, vegetable fats and oils, and many beverages and condiments. It is one of the hidden ingredients to be avoided.

Lard

Lard is the fat from a pig's abdomen. It is a non - vegetarian ingredient, commonly found in baked goods, especially in European - style baked goods, canned soups, and refried beans.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 can be added to fortified foods as well as multivitamins. It comes from wool.

As mentioned above, vitamin D3 is used to fortify foods and beverages such as orange juice. Make sure to get your vitamin D by consuming vitamin D2 as it is plant - sourced.

Why Are Figs Not Vegan?

Figs are considered non - vegetarian mainly because when figs ripen, they attract wasps to lay eggs.

These eggs turn into larvae, and when you eat a fig, you may very well consume the wasp eggs and larvae.

Most fig varieties have their own exclusive wasp "partners." These wasps lay eggs inside the figs, and the larvae develop inside the figs.

Eventually, the figs "consume" these wasps, forming a symbiotic relationship.

Can Vegans Eat Honey?

Strictly speaking, honey is not considered vegetarian.

Because honey is made by bees, it does not count as a vegetarian food in the traditional sense. Therefore, many vegetarians exclude honey from their diet.

For vegetarians, they will choose foods such as agave, maple syrup, and date syrup to replace honey. For vegetarians, they aim to minimize the exploitation and cruel treatment of animals in their way of life.